SPORTS

SPORTS

Nigeria have retained their position as the highest-ranked women’s football team in Africa, following the latest FIFA Women’s World Ranking published on June 12, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.

 

Despite a marginal increase of just 0.8 points, which saw them rise from 1622.49 to 1623.29 points, the nine-time African champions remain the continent’s best, holding firm at 36th in the world.

 

The rankings reflect matches played since the last update on March 6, 2025, in which Nigeria didn’t play any game but returned for two games against Cameroon in the May-June international window, recording one win and cancelling the other.

 

South Africa continues to trail Nigeria as the continent’s second-best side, ranked 54th globally with 1488.49 points. However, Banyana Banyana dropped 1.57 points from their previous tally of 1490.06, despite an impressive four-match winning streak.

 

Morocco, one of Africa’s best performers at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup, dropped eight points to settle at 1419.63, falling to 60th in the global standings.

 

Cameroon made the most notable progress among African teams, despite losing their only game in the last international window to Nigeria. The Indomitable Lionesses climbed two places up to 64th with a 7.3-point increase to 1396.2.

 

Zambia, who continue to show promise on the continental stage, slipped slightly to 65th after losing 4.67 points. The Copper Queens’ recent form has been patchy, drawing twice and losing twice.

 

Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire remain unchanged in terms of points, each holding steady at 66th and 72nd, respectively. Both nations had mixed results, with Ghana recording a loss and a draw, while the Ivorians claimed a win and a draw.

 

Further down the African rankings, Mali (78th), Senegal (81st), and Algeria (82nd) all recorded no points change, each drawing all their fixtures in the match window.

 

Globally, the United States remain top despite a recent defeat to Brazil. Spain and Germany are closing in, while Brazil’s resurgence, including a victory over the Americans, has propelled them to fourth place. Egypt, Africa’s biggest climber, moved up seven places to 93rd, marking the most significant leap in the global rankings.

 

The next FIFA Women’s World Ranking update is scheduled for August 7, 2025, 10 days after the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations while the men’s ranking is scheduled to be officially released by the global governing body on July 10, 2025.

Senegal captain Khalidou Koulibaly hailed victory against England on Tuesday night as one of his nation's greatest.

The 3-1 friendly win was the first time an African nation had defeated England at senior level. 

After Harry Kane had given England the lead, Senegal took control to win 1-3 through goals from Ismaila Sarr, Habib Diarra and Cheikh Sabaly.

"Fantastic night. We knew we could do something in this game," Senegal captain Koulibaly told BBC Radio 5 Live.

"It was a tough game, but we showed our personality and showed we can play at this level."

Koulibaly likened the win to Senegal's Africa Cup of Nations victory in 2022.

"It is fantastic. We are not used to making history and we made it when we won AFCON, and we made it tonight," he added.

"We want to continue writing the story of Senegal. We wanted to show we have a good nation."

Senegal have become the first African country to beat England, following their 3-1 win in an international friendly on Tuesday night.

Before the game, the Three Lions had recorded a narrow 1-0 win over Andorra.

Thomas Tuchel had been critical of his team’s performance and demanded better against the Teranga Lions.

 

The hosts took the lead early through Captain Harry Kane.

But the Senegalese fought back to dominate the match played at the City Ground.

Ismaila Sarr made it 1-1 before Habib Diarra burst through to give the West Africans the lead.

England were sluggish about taking a free kick and it led to a counterattack, which saw Cheikh Sabaly put the game out of reach.

This is also Tuchel’s first defeat in charge of England.

Saudi Pro League side Al Hilal is reportedly negotiating a short-term loan deal to bring midfielder N’Golo Kanté from rivals Al Ittihad for the upcoming Club World Cup in the United States, according to transfer expert David Ornstein.

While no agreement has been finalised, there is growing optimism that a deal can be reached.

“Al Hilal are in talks to sign N’Golo Kanté on a short-term loan deal from fellow Saudi Pro League side Al Ittihad for the Club World Cup,” Ornstein reported. “An agreement has not yet been reached but there is optimism that a deal can be done.”

Both clubs are controlled by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF), which acquired Al Hilal, Al Ittihad, Al Nassr, and Al Ahli ahead of the 2023 summer transfer window.

 

Al Hilal earned their spot in the expanded Club World Cup as the 2021 AFC Champions League winners, making them the only Saudi representative at the tournament.

 

Kanté, 34, joined Al Ittihad on a free transfer from Chelsea in July 2023 and played a key role in their Saudi Pro League title-winning campaign last season, finishing eight points ahead of Al Hilal.

The French midfielder, who has made 81 appearances for Al Ittihad, previously starred at Chelsea, where he won the Premier League, Champions League, Europa League, and FA Cup across seven years and 269 appearances.

Kanté joined Chelsea from Leicester City for £30 million in 2016 after helping the Foxes secure their historic Premier League title.

Al Hilal, now led by former Inter Milan head coach Simone Inzaghi, boasts a squad featuring former European stars such as Rúben Neves, Aleksandar Mitrović, and Kanté’s ex-Chelsea teammate Kalidou Koulibaly.

The club will kick off their Club World Cup campaign against Real Madrid on June 18, followed by matches against Red Bull Salzburg on June 22 and Pachuca on June 26.

[Punch]

Barcelona winger Lamine Yamal has become the most valuable player in the world.

 

According to Transfermarkt’s latest valuation updates, the Spain international has dethroned Vinícius Júnior to become the world’s most valuable footballer.

 

This follows his outstanding performances for both club and country over the past year.

 

The 17-year-old now ranks ahead of five Real Madrid stars — Vinícius, Kylian Mbappé, Jude Bellingham, Federico Valverde and Rodrygo.

 

Mbappé and Bellingham are jointly valued at €180 million, placing them just behind Yamal in the overall standings.

 

Vinícius, meanwhile, has seen his valuation drop from €200 million to €170 million.

 

Most valuable players in the world at the moment:

 

Lamine Yamal – €200m

Jude Bellingham – €180m

Erling Haaland – €180m

Kylian Mbappé – €180m

Vinícius Júnior – €170m

Bukayo Saka – €150m

Pedri – €140m

Florian Wirtz – €140m

Jamal Musiala – €140m

Federico Valverde – €130m

Cole Palmer – €120m

Declan Rice – €120m

Alexander Isak – €120m

Rodri – €110m

Julián Álvarez – €100m

Michael Olise – €100m

Alexis Mac Allister – €100m

Phil Foden – €100m

Lautaro Martínez – €95m

Désiré Doué – €90m

Moisés Caicedo – €90m

Khvicha Kvaratskhelia – €90m

Rodrygo – €90m

Raphinha – €90m

Ousmane Dembélé – €90m

Real Madrid are reportedly preparing a late move to hijack Arsenal-bound midfielder Martin Zubimendi, according to Marca.

 

The Gunners have been in advanced negotiations with Real Sociedad and have subsequently triggered Zubimendi’s £51 million release clause.

 

It is understood that only the medical remains before the deal becomes official, with all payment structures already agreed upon.

 

However, Real Madrid have made contact with Zubimendi’s representatives to ascertain whether the player has finalised an agreement with Arsenal.

 

It is claimed that the call from the La Liga giants has “changed everything,” with Zubimendi now aware of the possibility of joining them.

 

Real Madrid are now said to be considering a formal approach to Real Sociedad and are expressing a desire to sign Arsenal’s summer target.

 

Nevertheless, Arsenal remain confident they will secure their top transfer target, despite Madrid’s late intervention

Portugal captain, Cristiano Ronaldo, has confirmed he will extend his stay with Al Nassr.

Ronaldo, speaking after their Nations League final win over Spain, said “nothing is gonna change”.

According to Fabrizio Romano’s post on X on Monday, the 40-year-old is now ready to commit his future to the Saudi Pro League side.

 

Romano wrote: “Cristiano Ronaldo confirms plan to stay at Al Nassr by signing a new deal.

“My future? Basically, nothing is gonna change. Staying at Al Nassr? Yea.”

Ronaldo’s future became uncertain with his current contract set to expire at the end of June and no progress in negotiations over fresh terms.

The five-time Ballon d’Or winner joined Al Nassr in December 2022 after his contract with Manchester United was terminated.

His arrival marked a turning point for Saudi Arabian football, drawing global attention to the league and triggering a wave of high-profile signings across the league.

Portugal striker Cristiano Ronaldo is ready to extend his stay with Saudi pro side Al Nassr and is even prepared to sign a new deal.

According to Fabrizio Romano’s post on X on Monday, the Portuguese have dismissed rumours of leaving Al Nassr.

The post read, “Cristiano Ronaldo confirms plan to stay at Al Nassr by signing a new deal.

“My future? Basically, nothing is gonna change. Staying at Al Nassr? Yea.”

 

Recall that the 40-year-old on Sunday helped his national team to secure the Nation’s League for the second time four years after the Nation’s League was unveiled.

 

Ronaldo, who joined Al Nassr in December 2022 on a record-breaking deal, has played a transformative role both on and off the pitch.

His arrival marked a turning point for Saudi football, drawing global attention to the Saudi Pro League and triggering a wave of high-profile signings across the league.

During his time at Al Nassr so far, Ronaldo has delivered impressive performances, scoring consistently and helping the club remain competitive at the top level. His presence has not only boosted the club’s visibility but also played a key role in the league’s growing popularity worldwide.

The announcement of his continued stay is seen as a significant boost for Al Nassr and the Saudi Pro League as a whole. It also signals Ronaldo’s long-term commitment to the ambitious football project unfolding in the region.

[Punch]

Unified heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk has offered US president Donald Trump the chance to live in his house for a week to experience the reality of the war in Ukraine.

 

After Russian president Vladimir Putin launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Trump vowed to end the conflict “within 24 hours” of his presidency if he was elected for a second time.

However, the 78-year-old has been unable to do so and has blamed Ukraine leader Volodymyr Zelensky for “starting the war”.

 

Usyk, who dedicated his victory against Anthony Joshua in 2022 to the people of Ukraine, says Trump can live in his house for a week to better understand the situation in his country.

 

“I advise American President Donald Trump to come to Ukraine and live in my house for one week,” Usyk told BBC Sport.

 

“Only one week. I will give him my house

Historic Italian football club Brescia will cease to exist after 114 years following its owner’s decision not to honour a debt of three million euros.

 

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Italian businessman Massimo Cellino has owned the Lombardy club since 2017.

 

Cellino was previously the owner of English side Leeds, where he was principally known for his swing door policy of managerial ins-and-outs and his problems with the courts.

 

The 68-year-old had until Friday to pay part of Brescia’s eight million euros in tax arrears and other overdue tax.

 

Brescia’s failure to pay the sum has resulted in the club losing the right to take part in the Italian league system. 

The club were deducted four points by the tribunal of the Italian football federation (FIGC) for their financial woes.

 

As a result of this sanction, Brescia, who finished the Serie B season in 15th place with 43 points, dropped to 18th place on 39 points – resulting in relegation to the third-tier Serie C.

Brescia spent 23 seasons in the top flight, most recently in 2019-20, with their best performance being an eighth-place finish in 2000-2001.

 

Famous past servants of the club include Italian internationals Roberto Baggio, Alessandro Altobelli, Andrea Pirlo and Luca Toni, as well as current Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola who played there in 2001-02 and 2003

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